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Council Visitor Center
The Visitor Center in Council in located in an old Forest Service
Building. It is operated by the Council Chamber of Commerce in
conjunction with the US Forest Service.
Easily
accessible off Dartmouth Street and US Highway 95, the old ranger
station is an ideal site to disseminate information to the traveling
public. There is also internet access available. Please call
208-253-6830 for more information.
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Council
Visitor Center
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The ranger
station was built on land purchased from the Pacific and Idaho Northern
Railroad Company and looks very much as it did when constructed in
1933. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in
1992.
It consists of
five frame buildings, good examples of structures constructed by the
Civilian Conservation Corps for the Forest Service between 1933 and
1936. The CCC also landscaped the property with ponderosa pine, alder
and spruce trees, juniper and dogwood shrubs, and rose bushes along the
sidewalks.
Once the
district office, the frame construction is covered by shiplap siding
and tin roofing with a concrete double-hung windows and a centrally
located brick chimney. The architecture is distinctive and consistent
with the simple frame construction painted white with green trim.
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| Places
to Visit |
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A.O. Huntly Historic Barn
[National Register of Historic Places]
Adams County possesses one of the largest barns of its period in Idaho.
It stands in spacious meadows surrounded by forest at the intersection
of the road that leads to Cuprum and the Kleinshmidt Grade. A.O.
Huntley operated a ranch starting in the 1880s, later grubstaking
miners who went on to discover the gold, that kicked off the Thunder
Mountain gold rush.
With his
proceeds, he built this substantial barn as well as a magnificent Queen
Anne residence. The residence, unfortunately, burned to the ground in
the 1930s. Privately owned and listed on the National Register of
Historic Places, the A.O. Huntley barn is a board and batten
three-story structure with a steep gambrel roof. Over 100 feet long and
40 feet wide it sits on a raised concrete foundation and once housed
cattle. The two upper floors are open and were used for hay storage
with small hay door openings in the gables at each end.
The barn,
although sturdy, is in need of repair. The roof is greatly deteriorated
and must be re-roofed in the near future if the barn is to survive.
This is a major architectural landmark at a key intersection in rural
Adams County.
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Kleinshmidt Grade
A real adventure in the Council area is entering the Snake River Canyon
via the Kleinshmidt Grade.
It is said
that the grade has one of the largest elevation drops in the shortest
road distance in North America. The 22-mile roadwork was begun in 1890,
and completed in 1891.
Albert
Kleinshmidt who had purchased shares in the area mines planned and
built the road to reach from his mines to the ferry on the Snake River,
where he was confident boats could be relied upon to transport his ore
to the railroad at Old Ferry, near Weiser. Unfortunately, the steamboat
"Norma", built for the purpose, failed to meet the need and along with
poor copper prices and economic turndowns, mining operations stalled.
German visitors often seek out this unique site.
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Council
Valley Museum
The museum is open to the public from Memorial Day Weekend through
Labor Day daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Tuesdays through Saturdays,
and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Sundays.
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Mesa
Orchards
Some of the largest apple and peach orchards in the West were once
found in the Council region. Located seven miles south of Council, Mesa
was home to one of the largest individually owned and operated apple
orchards in the world.
On the rolling
hills were 1,200 acres, which in harvest time demanded a crew of six
hundred. The orchard was equipped with two huge cellars and an
elaborate irrigation system that brought water over the hills by means
of a network of siphons and flumes.
A unique feature was the electrically operated tramway. As fast as the
fruit was packed, it was conveyed over the tram to the railroad, a
distance of 4 miles. The fragrance of this orchard in bloom is said to
have drenched the air for miles. Other fruit growing areas can be found
east of Council.
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Seven
Devils Mountains
Council is the gateway to the Seven Devils, with a short drive
displaying their ruggedness, color, grandeur, and depth. This range,
the eastern skyline of the deepest canyon in North America - Hells
Canyon, runs almost 40 miles between the Snake and Little Salmon
rivers. Upon the flanks are at least 32 lakes and 7,900 feet below the
highest summit, He Devil Peak, the Snake River forms the boundary
between Idaho and Oregon. The range takes its name from seven serrated
peaks, which stand in a semicircle.
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Weiser River Trail
The Weiser River Trail (Rails to Trails) is one of the first
long-distance mountain biking trails in Idaho. With wooden trestles,
wildlife and river country, the trail spans desert canyons, farmlands,
forests and meadows. The extensive trail offers a variety of
experiences for hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, cross-country
skiers,bird watchers, and other outdoor enthusiasts.
The trail is
operated by the Friends of the Weiser River Trail, a non-profit
corporation established in 1997, to get the railroad corridor rail
banked for recreational use. Its mission is to preserve the integrity
of the rail corridor, manage it as a public trail, and conserve the
natural habitats along its length. The trail extends 84 miles from
Weiser to Ricon, near New Meadows.
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| Events
to Enjoy |
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World
Famous Porcupine Races
The Council Chamber of Commerce hosts the Fourth of July festivities
which include the World Famous Porcupine Races. The day begins with a
fresh cooked breakfast. It then continues with a parade through
downtown, followed by the porcupine races. Other activities include
logging contests, lawnmower dragsters, kids activities and of course
fireworks.
View photos
from the 2009
celebration.
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Adams
County Fair & Rodeo
From arts & crafts, swine & sheep to barrel racing and
roping, this local event is filled with fun for all. Usually in late
July, the Adams County Fair & Rodeo is a true highlight for
visitors and residents.
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Council Mountain Music Festival
The third
weekend in August brings music to the town of Council. Both local and
outside talent converge to perform for two days. Admission is
free.
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